-The first Community organisation was created in the aftermath of the Second World War when

reconstructing the economy of the European continent and ensuring a lasting peace appeared
necessary.

-Thus the idea of pooling Franco-German coal and steel production came about and the European
Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was formed. This choice was not only economic but also political,
as these two raw materials were the basis of the industry and power of the two countries. The
underlying political objective was to strengthen Franco-German solidarity, banish the spectre of war
and open the way to European integration.

-The French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, in his famous declaration of 9 May 1950, proposed
that Franco-German coal and steel production be placed under a common High Authority within the
framework of an organisation in which other European countries could participate.

-France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands accepted the challenge and
began negotiating a treaty. This development went against the original wish of Jean Monnet, the
senior French civil servant who had inspired the idea, whose original proposal had been for a simpler,
more technocratic mechanism

-The aim of the Treaty, as stated in Article 2, was to contribute, through the common market for coal
and steel, to economic expansion, growth of employment and a rising standard of living. All of this
had to be accompanied by growth in international trade and modernisation of production. the Treaty
introduced the free movement of products without customs duties or taxes.

-The ECSC Treaty is the origin of the institutions as we know them today. It established a High
Authority, an Assembly, a Council of Ministers and a Court of Justice. The Community had legal
personality.

The High Authority was the independent collegiate executive with the task of achieving the
objectives laid down by the Treaty and acting in the general interest of the Community. It was made
up of nine members (of whom not more than two of any one nationality) appointed for six years. It
was a truly supranational body with power of decision.

-The Assembly was made up of 78 deputies, who were representatives of the national Parliaments

-The Council consisted of six representatives of the national governments. The Presidency of the
Council was held by each Member State in turn for a period of three months.

-The Court of Justice consisted of seven judges nominated for six years by common agreement
between the governments of the Member States. It ensured that the law was observed in the
interpretation and implementation of the Treaty.